How do you feel about the Bills going into the 2023 season vs going into 2022?

[billsfan89]

A little over a month away from camp how are you feeling about the Bills 2023 roster compared to how you were feeling as a fan about the 2022 roster going into the season? Do you feel better, worse, or about the same? Breaking it down position by position group I will leave my thoughts below. 

 

Special Teams - Better in 2023

The Bills in 2022 had Bass as a kicker and Ariza as the punter and a strong overall group of ST specialists like Tyler Matakevich and T.Jones. The only hole on Special Teams was the returning game was not really all that great. Going into 2023 the Bills still have Bass and instead of Ariza they have Martin who is a vet punter still fairly young coming off a good season with the Bills replacing Ariza. The Bills no longer have T. Jones but they still have a ton of other specialists on the roster including Matakevich. The Bills also going into 2023 have Hines and Hardy as returners which represents a massive upgrade over the options they had going into 2022. 

 

Secondary - Even 

The Bills were really shaky at CB going into 2022. Tre was coming off a serious injury and likely to miss time and not come back to form. Elam was drafted in round 1 but still a rookie. Outside of T.Johnson there wasn't much stability. But the back end at safety induced more confidence going into 2022. Not only were Hyde and Poyer a year younger but they weren't coming off major injuries. Going into 2023 I like Tre to have a return to form and Elam, Benford, and Dane Jackson are all more experienced this season. But I am also less confident in Po and Hyde both a year older and Hyde coming off a serious injury and Po coming off a year where he was really banged up. The Bills do have better depth at safety with Hamlin getting some snaps and Rapp a solid vet backup. Overall even money for me. 

 

Linebacker - Worse in 2023

The Bills entered into 2022 with Milano and Edumonds two high-quality young LB's and Edumonds was entering into a contract year so extra motivation on him, the depth at LB was not really all that great. Going into 2023 Milano is still there but Edumonds is going being replaced by Klein a decent vet and a third-round pick in Dorian Williams. I know a lot of people on here weren't Edumonds fans and I agree with the decision not to resign him. But the Bills will likely see a decline in LB play unless Williams or another player on the roster overachieves. 

 

Defensive line - Even 

If it weren't for Von's injury I would rate 2023 as having an edge with the Poona Ford and Floyd additions. But despite getting a second quality NT and a nice vet pass rusher in Floyd Von coming off a serious injury causes a lot of concern. Feeling about equal, I think the Bills should have a top-quality D-line going into both 2022 and 2023. 

 

The defense overall - Slightly worse going into 2023

I liked the defense in 2022 to be the best defense if not at least a top 3 unit going into 2023. But with the likely decline of LB play I think the Bills defense may regress a bit but should still be a top 7-10 unit in the league and could easily be a top 5 unit. But I do think that the defense will feel the absence of Edumonds and there are some more holes going into 2023. Still, the defense should be a good unit. 

 

QB - Even

Josh is still the franchise QB and the backups are of even quality. Not much to say here. 

 

RB - Better in 2023

I thought the Bills had a decent RB trio going into 2022. Cook as a second-round rookie, Singletary and Moss not super inspiring but not tragic either. 2023 the Bills have Cook with a year under his belt and swapped out Moss for Hines who is a much better more dynamic role player. The Bills then swap out Singletary and T.Jones for true power back in Harris and Murray. I think the Bills are much better situated at RB. 

 

WR- Even 

The Bills in 2022 had Diggs and not a lot else proven otherwise. Going into 2023 the Bills are in a similar spot. Davis disappointed in 2022 but going into 2023 the hope is that on a contract year with a full season under his belt as the WR2 maybe he can perform better. Hardy and Sheffield are nice adds to replace Mac and Kumerow but aren't major upgrades either. Shakir has a year under his belt but overall the feeling about the WR group is about the same as last season. 

 

TE - Better in 2023

Knox is still there and hopefully won't suffer personal tragedy which would impact anyone and then there is the addition on Kincaid who is far better than OJ Howard who entered into the mix at TE going into 2022. Just overall a lot more talent in the group with the addition of Kincaid. 

 

O-line - Better in 2023

The Bills in 2022 were heading into the season with their thinnest O-line group since 2018 and hoping to get a decent season out of Saffold at guard. 2023 they majorly upgraded the guard position getting a younger better-starting guard in Connor McGovern and the best guard in the draft in Torrence. In addition they brought in Edwards as more guard depth and Bates hopefully kicks back onto the bench. Queese is back again along with Snell who should provide some competition for Brown. Overall the O-line is just vastly better going into 2023. 

 

Offense overall- Better in 2023

With the addition of Kincaid, McGovern, Torrence and other smaller parts like Hines and Hardy the Bills have better offensive pieces around Josh by a significant margin. 2022 I had massive concerns about the O-line and O-line depth whereas in 2023 my only major concern about the O-line is who is Dawkins backup and whether could they find a better player to compete with Brown (Both of which were concerns entering into 2022). Kincaid adds what hopefully will be a quality weapon and the RB group looks better as well. 

 

Team overall - Even

Even though component by component, I feel as though the 2023 Bills may be better than the 2022 Bills I had Super Bowl expectations going into 2022 and I have the same Super Bowl expectations in 2023. I do think that the Bills are in a position in 2023 to compete better as I think the offense has the tools to be more consistent and while I think the defense may not be as strong it will still be a very good unit overall. 

 

TLDR: Bills have a better ST and offense going into 2023 but the defense is not as good going into 2023 as it was in 2022. 

[Nextmanup]

I felt much better last offseason.  People were saying we were the favorite to win the SB.

Now they are saying we are the 8th best team in the league.

 

We are due for a regression year.  That schedule is brutal.

 

Not sure the team is improved where it matters.

 

 

[Gugny]

Worser. But not by many. 

[GETTOTHE50]

Much better on the roster side of things with the newly acquired players. 
 

and we are better at LB with edmunds gone. that was textbook addition by subtraction. 
 

coach wise tbd bc of Dorsey. Establish the ***** run game for once 

[PBF81]

Quote

How do you feel about the Bills going into the 2023 season vs going into 2022?

 

Do we have a choice, a mulligan for last season or this season?  

 

 

[HurlyBurly51]

Much better today😎

[Process]

It's the best roster we've had in the Josh Allen era for sure. 

 

Last off-season felt way better because the way the season before ended compared to this year. 

 

But the roster is as good as ever. Hopefully they can put it all together.

[DQW87]

I feel like the only way we beat Mahomes in the playoffs is home field advantage which is almost impossible.  The AFC West has been laying down for KC for abour 5 years now giving them an automatic path to home field.  Throw in the fact that all KC's other big games almost always seem to be at home(aka Bills), it's a long shot for them to have to ever go on the road.  Very frustrating, but true.

[Wizard]

I feel there is less national media pressure on the Bills. 

 

I feel that fans (including myself) will be more realistic of who we are (a top 8 team), and if the team plays solid on both sides in the playoffs then we can compete with anyone.

 

I feel more comfortable about our offensive line being better.

 

I believe the team is a little more well-rounded and if we avoid major injuries, we will put up a strong fight to make the AFC Championship game.

 

I think Diggs needs to play with that chip but get off of social media as he is a leader and not meant to be a locker room problem.

 

Division and AFC looks to be much more daunting, so I expect about 11 wins but more battle tested for playoffs.

 

I believe the Bills have a two-year Super Bowl window right now with this current roster, then they must retool, so McDermott, Beane, Allen, and everyone need to know that this is delivery season.

Edited June 14, 2023 by Wizard

[Franco_92]

The general vibe in my mind is much darker and more malicious right now compared to last summer. This is mostly due to places like here because when I snap out of it i see a better team, and wonder why I was as high on them last year as I was given the state of the weapons

[billsfan89]

5 minutes ago, arcane said:

The general vibe in my mind is much darker and more malicious right now compared to last summer. This is mostly due to places like here because when I snap out of it i see a better team, and wonder why I was as high on them last year as I was given the state of the weapons

I am more optimistic that the better offensive line and talent along with less pressure (Bills no longer the Super Bowl favorite) will help them stay under the radar a bit. The rosters are similarly talented just a little more balanced with better offensive talent and maybe a step down on defense.

 

The Bills are still legitimate contenders who may actually be better built to win in the playoffs 

Edited June 14, 2023 by billsfan89

[Juice_32]

I feel way better than last year. This is definitely the year they do it, easily too, won’t even be hard really.

[Franco_92]

1 minute ago, billsfan89 said:

I am more optimistic that the better offensive line and talent along with less pressure (Bills no longer the Super Bowl favorite) will help them stay under the radar a bit. The rosters are similarly talented just a little more balanced with better offensive talent and maybe a step down on defense.

 

The Bills are still legitimate contenders who may actually be better built to win in the playoffs 

I agree, and I think our schedule setup really helps us out. It ramps up into our important games, with just about all of the "softballs" (there really are none in the NFL) early. A late bye, no serious rest disadvantages etc. 

[billybrew1]

6 hours ago, billsfan89 said:

A little over a month away from camp how are you feeling about the Bills 2023 roster compared to how you were feeling as a fan about the 2022 roster going into the season? Do you feel better, worse, or about the same? Breaking it down position by position group I will leave my thoughts below. 

 

Special Teams - Better in 2023

The Bills in 2022 had Bass as a kicker and Ariza as the punter and a strong overall group of ST specialists like Tyler Matakevich and T.Jones. The only hole on Special Teams was the returning game was not really all that great. Going into 2023 the Bills still have Bass and instead of Ariza they have Martin who is a vet punter still fairly young coming off a good season with the Bills replacing Ariza. The Bills no longer have T. Jones but they still have a ton of other specialists on the roster including Matakevich. The Bills also going into 2023 have Hines and Hardy as returners which represents a massive upgrade over the options they had going into 2022. 

 

Secondary - Even 

The Bills were really shaky at CB going into 2022. Tre was coming off a serious injury and likely to miss time and not come back to form. Elam was drafted in round 1 but still a rookie. Outside of T.Johnson there wasn't much stability. But the back end at safety induced more confidence going into 2022. Not only were Hyde and Poyer a year younger but they weren't coming off major injuries. Going into 2023 I like Tre to have a return to form and Elam, Benford, and Dane Jackson are all more experienced this season. But I am also less confident in Po and Hyde both a year older and Hyde coming off a serious injury and Po coming off a year where he was really banged up. The Bills do have better depth at safety with Hamlin getting some snaps and Rapp a solid vet backup. Overall even money for me. 

 

Linebacker - Worse in 2023

The Bills entered into 2022 with Milano and Edumonds two high-quality young LB's and Edumonds was entering into a contract year so extra motivation on him, the depth at LB was not really all that great. Going into 2023 Milano is still there but Edumonds is going being replaced by Klein a decent vet and a third-round pick in Dorian Williams. I know a lot of people on here weren't Edumonds fans and I agree with the decision not to resign him. But the Bills will likely see a decline in LB play unless Williams or another player on the roster overachieves. 

 

Defensive line - Even 

If it weren't for Von's injury I would rate 2023 as having an edge with the Poona Ford and Floyd additions. But despite getting a second quality NT and a nice vet pass rusher in Floyd Von coming off a serious injury causes a lot of concern. Feeling about equal, I think the Bills should have a top-quality D-line going into both 2022 and 2023. 

 

The defense overall - Slightly worse going into 2023

I liked the defense in 2022 to be the best defense if not at least a top 3 unit going into 2023. But with the likely decline of LB play I think the Bills defense may regress a bit but should still be a top 7-10 unit in the league and could easily be a top 5 unit. But I do think that the defense will feel the absence of Edumonds and there are some more holes going into 2023. Still, the defense should be a good unit. 

 

QB - Even

Josh is still the franchise QB and the backups are of even quality. Not much to say here. 

 

RB - Better in 2023

I thought the Bills had a decent RB trio going into 2022. Cook as a second-round rookie, Singletary and Moss not super inspiring but not tragic either. 2023 the Bills have Cook with a year under his belt and swapped out Moss for Hines who is a much better more dynamic role player. The Bills then swap out Singletary and T.Jones for true power back in Harris and Murray. I think the Bills are much better situated at RB. 

 

WR- Even 

The Bills in 2022 had Diggs and not a lot else proven otherwise. Going into 2023 the Bills are in a similar spot. Davis disappointed in 2022 but going into 2023 the hope is that on a contract year with a full season under his belt as the WR2 maybe he can perform better. Hardy and Sheffield are nice adds to replace Mac and Kumerow but aren't major upgrades either. Shakir has a year under his belt but overall the feeling about the WR group is about the same as last season. 

 

TE - Better in 2023

Knox is still there and hopefully won't suffer personal tragedy which would impact anyone and then there is the addition on Kincaid who is far better than OJ Howard who entered into the mix at TE going into 2022. Just overall a lot more talent in the group with the addition of Kincaid. 

 

O-line - Better in 2023

The Bills in 2022 were heading into the season with their thinnest O-line group since 2018 and hoping to get a decent season out of Saffold at guard. 2023 they majorly upgraded the guard position getting a younger better-starting guard in Connor McGovern and the best guard in the draft in Torrence. In addition they brought in Edwards as more guard depth and Bates hopefully kicks back onto the bench. Queese is back again along with Snell who should provide some competition for Brown. Overall the O-line is just vastly better going into 2023. 

 

Offense overall- Better in 2023

With the addition of Kincaid, McGovern, Torrence and other smaller parts like Hines and Hardy the Bills have better offensive pieces around Josh by a significant margin. 2022 I had massive concerns about the O-line and O-line depth whereas in 2023 my only major concern about the O-line is who is Dawkins backup and whether could they find a better player to compete with Brown (Both of which were concerns entering into 2022). Kincaid adds what hopefully will be a quality weapon and the RB group looks better as well. 

 

Team overall - Even

Even though component by component, I feel as though the 2023 Bills may be better than the 2022 Bills I had Super Bowl expectations going into 2022 and I have the same Super Bowl expectations in 2023. I do think that the Bills are in a position in 2023 to compete better as I think the offense has the tools to be more consistent and while I think the defense may not be as strong it will still be a very good unit overall. 

 

TLDR: Bills have a better ST and offense going into 2023 but the defense is not as good going into 2023 as it was in 

6 hours ago, billsfan89 said:

A little over a month away from camp how are you feeling about the Bills 2023 roster compared to how you were feeling as a fan about the 2022 roster going into the season? Do you feel better, worse, or about the same? Breaking it down position by position group I will leave my thoughts below. 

 

Special Teams - Better in 2023

The Bills in 2022 had Bass as a kicker and Ariza as the punter and a strong overall group of ST specialists like Tyler Matakevich and T.Jones. The only hole on Special Teams was the returning game was not really all that great. Going into 2023 the Bills still have Bass and instead of Ariza they have Martin who is a vet punter still fairly young coming off a good season with the Bills replacing Ariza. The Bills no longer have T. Jones but they still have a ton of other specialists on the roster including Matakevich. The Bills also going into 2023 have Hines and Hardy as returners which represents a massive upgrade over the options they had going into 2022. 

 

Secondary - Even 

The Bills were really shaky at CB going into 2022. Tre was coming off a serious injury and likely to miss time and not come back to form. Elam was drafted in round 1 but still a rookie. Outside of T.Johnson there wasn't much stability. But the back end at safety induced more confidence going into 2022. Not only were Hyde and Poyer a year younger but they weren't coming off major injuries. Going into 2023 I like Tre to have a return to form and Elam, Benford, and Dane Jackson are all more experienced this season. But I am also less confident in Po and Hyde both a year older and Hyde coming off a serious injury and Po coming off a year where he was really banged up. The Bills do have better depth at safety with Hamlin getting some snaps and Rapp a solid vet backup. Overall even money for me. 

 

Linebacker - Worse in 2023

The Bills entered into 2022 with Milano and Edumonds two high-quality young LB's and Edumonds was entering into a contract year so extra motivation on him, the depth at LB was not really all that great. Going into 2023 Milano is still there but Edumonds is going being replaced by Klein a decent vet and a third-round pick in Dorian Williams. I know a lot of people on here weren't Edumonds fans and I agree with the decision not to resign him. But the Bills will likely see a decline in LB play unless Williams or another player on the roster overachieves. 

 

Defensive line - Even 

If it weren't for Von's injury I would rate 2023 as having an edge with the Poona Ford and Floyd additions. But despite getting a second quality NT and a nice vet pass rusher in Floyd Von coming off a serious injury causes a lot of concern. Feeling about equal, I think the Bills should have a top-quality D-line going into both 2022 and 2023. 

 

The defense overall - Slightly worse going into 2023

I liked the defense in 2022 to be the best defense if not at least a top 3 unit going into 2023. But with the likely decline of LB play I think the Bills defense may regress a bit but should still be a top 7-10 unit in the league and could easily be a top 5 unit. But I do think that the defense will feel the absence of Edumonds and there are some more holes going into 2023. Still, the defense should be a good unit. 

 

QB - Even

Josh is still the franchise QB and the backups are of even quality. Not much to say here. 

 

RB - Better in 2023

I thought the Bills had a decent RB trio going into 2022. Cook as a second-round rookie, Singletary and Moss not super inspiring but not tragic either. 2023 the Bills have Cook with a year under his belt and swapped out Moss for Hines who is a much better more dynamic role player. The Bills then swap out Singletary and T.Jones for true power back in Harris and Murray. I think the Bills are much better situated at RB. 

 

WR- Even 

The Bills in 2022 had Diggs and not a lot else proven otherwise. Going into 2023 the Bills are in a similar spot. Davis disappointed in 2022 but going into 2023 the hope is that on a contract year with a full season under his belt as the WR2 maybe he can perform better. Hardy and Sheffield are nice adds to replace Mac and Kumerow but aren't major upgrades either. Shakir has a year under his belt but overall the feeling about the WR group is about the same as last season. 

 

TE - Better in 2023

Knox is still there and hopefully won't suffer personal tragedy which would impact anyone and then there is the addition on Kincaid who is far better than OJ Howard who entered into the mix at TE going into 2022. Just overall a lot more talent in the group with the addition of Kincaid. 

 

O-line - Better in 2023

The Bills in 2022 were heading into the season with their thinnest O-line group since 2018 and hoping to get a decent season out of Saffold at guard. 2023 they majorly upgraded the guard position getting a younger better-starting guard in Connor McGovern and the best guard in the draft in Torrence. In addition they brought in Edwards as more guard depth and Bates hopefully kicks back onto the bench. Queese is back again along with Snell who should provide some competition for Brown. Overall the O-line is just vastly better going into 2023. 

 

Offense overall- Better in 2023

With the addition of Kincaid, McGovern, Torrence and other smaller parts like Hines and Hardy the Bills have better offensive pieces around Josh by a significant margin. 2022 I had massive concerns about the O-line and O-line depth whereas in 2023 my only major concern about the O-line is who is Dawkins backup and whether could they find a better player to compete with Brown (Both of which were concerns entering into 2022). Kincaid adds what hopefully will be a quality weapon and the RB group looks better as well. 

 

Team overall - Even

Even though component by component, I feel as though the 2023 Bills may be better than the 2022 Bills I had Super Bowl expectations going into 2022 and I have the same Super Bowl expectations in 2023. I do think that the Bills are in a position in 2023 to compete better as I think the offense has the tools to be more consistent and while I think the defense may not be as strong it will still be a very good unit overall. 

 

TLDR: Bills have a better ST and offense going into 2023 but the defense is not as good going into 2023 as it was in 2022. 

This roster is clearly better with McGovern, Edwards, Shell,and Torrence added to the OL, Harris and Murray added to RB room, Kincaid, Sherfield and Harty added to WR room, Poona and Floyd added to DL, Rapp added to safety, Elam and Benford no longer rookies, Tre two years removed….. Easily a better roster.

on offense there are three big questions…. Can our tackles hold up? Even with Shell it is a question. Dawkins is the only 

LT on the roster. WR two, - do we need an upgrade at WR 2? My guess is yes, but it is a guess. And three and this is the biggest one. Can KD coach? We’ll find out week one.

There are only two questions on defense… Can we find a suitable two-down MLB? I think we can. Will he be as good as Edmunds? Probably not, but he might be better at certain things. Question 2 Can Hyde, Poyer and Tre hold up?

Thats a huge question. Great players the safeties may be too old and too beat up. Big drop off in talent after them.

I still feel Beane wants a #2 WR to add…. I don’t know what else they can do about Safety….though Rapp was a great signing. Especially for our three safety D…. I think the DL can protect the LBs so that have a fine season making tackles and possibly making plays….

[SydneyBillsFan]

About the same.

 

But that's because 12 months ago I was not aware that:

 

- Hyde would be gone week 2

- Saffold would be a greasy turnstile in concrete boots

- Spencer Brown and Gabe Davis would regress

- Von would be gone week 11

- the two JP's would get chronic injuries 

- JA17 would drift back into flashes of Sugar High Josh

- Our pass rush would be below par

 

So on balance, we would have to be a good chance of being more efficient this year.

 

[Alphadawg7]

Better.  
 

DL is better.

Secondary is better.

OL is better.

WR’s are better.

TE’s are better.  
RB’s are better.  
 

Offense should be better with Dorsey having a year under his belt to learn from.  

Most importantly…Frazier is gone, so defense should be better and more aggressive under McD.

 

So, yeah, I think this is a much better team than a year ago.

[BillMafia716ix]

Pretty much the same as last year. We have a good enough to team to win it all. Staying healthy will be key of course. Only question mark I really have is Dorsey. Are we going to be a one dimensional offense like we have always been or are we going to be more balanced and stay committed to running the football. 

[Dr.Sack]

2019: started 9-3, finishing 10-7. 1-4 finish. 

2020: started 7-3, finishing 15-4. 8-1 finish. 

2021: started 7-6, finished 12-7. 5-1 finish. 

2022: started 6-3, finished 14-4. 8-1 finish. 
 

Looking at the past 4 seasons I believe our team peaked in the second half of the season which the exception of the final 5 games in 2019. This team has been close down the stretch in the past 3 seasons. There’s no reason to think we can’t close on a tear, get lucky, stay healthy and finish a season on a 6, 7 or 8 game winning streak. 

 

 

[GunnerBill]

I feel about the same as I did about the Bills. I do think there is some additional depth in the secondary and at receiver compared to a year ago and I am much more optimistic about this spring's offensive line work than I was about last spring's.

 

That said this time last year I thought we might finally be in the 4 elite difference maker territory - Allen, Diggs, White and Von - which I have long argued is the minimum number that Superbowl winners typically have. Then White took ages to return and Von is a year older coming off another ACL. So call me less convinced by our top end talent than I was a year ago. And that is without talking about the age and injuries of their two stalwarts at safety and the hole at MLB. 

 

So I see the ledger as reasonably even. I also think the AFC generally and our division specifically looks, on paper, stronger. When I look through the AFC and try to cross out teams I think have zero playoff chances I only get as far as Houston and Vegas. 

 

For the Bills I think the route to the #1 seed is tougher and that means that ultimately the season comes down to can they be healthy, playing their best football, and get a break or two in January. If they do they can win the Superbowl. If not they won't. 

Edited June 15, 2023 by GunnerBill

[GoBills808]

Not as good as last year but pretty confident this is still one of the three best teams in the AFC

 

Division is tougher, we are relying on guys who are coming off major injury at late stages of career, and McDermott kind of lost me unfortunately. 

 

Still have Allen and oline should be better, I think Harris was a nice add